Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

• 1. Founding And Launch

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  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence at the 2018 G7 Summit. The idea took shape during discussions about how to guide artificial intelligence development responsibly. They wanted a framework that respected human rights alongside shared democratic values. The partnership officially launched on the 15th of June 2020 with fifteen founding members. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union joined immediately. This initial group set the stage for international cooperation in AI policy.

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• 2. Membership Expansion

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  The organization grew from its original fifteen founding members to twenty-nine current participants. UNESCO joined as an observer in December 2020. On the 11th of November 2021, Czechia, Israel, and several EU countries added their names to the list. That brought total membership to 25 countries by late 2021. Since the November 2022 summit, the count stands at 29 nations. Austria, Chile, Finland, Malaysia, Norway, Slovakia, and Switzerland received invitations but remain pending approval. These seven countries await final confirmation before joining the full roster. Their status reflects ongoing diplomatic processes within the partnership structure.

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• 3. Organizational Structure

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  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development hosts a dedicated secretariat to support GPAI activities. Two Centres of Expertise operate out of Montreal and Paris to handle specific working groups. The Montreal centre supports Responsible AI and Data Governance initiatives. The Paris centre focuses on Future of Work and Innovation & Commercialization efforts. Experts collaborate across these themes through various Working Groups including an ad-hoc subgroup on AI and Pandemic Response. A Steering Committee oversees operations while elected chairs guide the Multi Stakeholder Group. This structure allows experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to work together effectively.

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• 4. Leadership Rotation

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  Jordan Zed and Baroness Joanna Shields served as MEG chair during the 2020-2021 period. Joanna Shields and Renaud Vedel took over leadership roles in 2021-2022. Yoichi Iida and Inma Martinez led the group through 2023-2024. Each pair represents a rotating presidency that mirrors the G7 model. The elected chair also serves as the chair of the Multi Stakeholder Group simultaneously. These transitions ensure regular changes in direction and perspective within the organization. Leadership shifts happen annually to maintain fresh approaches to complex challenges.

• 5. Policy Objectives

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  GPAI seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice regarding artificial intelligence development. Supporting research and applied activities directly relevant to policymakers remains a core goal. The partnership brings together diverse voices to address both challenges and opportunities presented by AI technology. Human rights protection forms the foundation of all initiatives undertaken by the group. Shared democratic values guide every decision made by member nations. The initiative aims to create practical frameworks rather than abstract concepts alone. This approach ensures policies remain grounded in real-world application while maintaining ethical standards.